Education WOW!

State Board of Education Names Bloomfield Hills Secretary Florence Atto Michigan School Support Person of the Year

Florence Atto was surprised during a visit from former Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Jeremy M. Hughes. Hughes informed Atto that the Michigan State Board of Education had named her 2004–2005 Michigan School Support Person of the Year. Atto is a secretary at the Doyle Center for Professional Development at Bloomfield Hills Public Schools.

“Outstanding school employees like Florence are the lifeblood of good schools around the state of Michigan,” Hughes said. “This award focuses positive attention on the tens of thousands of dedicated school support personnel across the state who rarely receive public recognition for their work.”

The purpose of the Michigan School Support Person of the Year award is to honor outstanding school support personnel for their contributions to the success of the learning community and to focus public attention on the tireless work undertaken by school support personnel on a daily basis. This is the third year of the program.

“We are delighted to highlight the contributions of school support personnel in every Michigan school with this award,” said Kathleen N. Straus, State Board of Education President. “Florence represents the unsung heroes in support roles in our school districts.”

A secretary with the Bloomfield Hills Public Schools district since 1992, “Atto makes every person who enters the building feel like a valued guest,” said Laurie McCarty, Bloomfield Hills Director of Instructional Services. “She is an ambassador of good will for the entire district.”

Fluent in both the Chaldean and Arabic languages, Atto is a former paraprofessional educator for bilingual students, English Language Learners, and special education students. Maureen Wagner and Cynthia Dees, staff members in the district’s Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Department, supported Florence’s nomination in writing, “For many years, the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Department has counted on Flo’s unique communication skills to ensure quality programming for students from non-English speaking households. She individually encourages each student entrusted to her care. Flo sees potential where others see limitations. She takes great pleasure in mentoring the students and serving as a cultural liaison on behalf of the Chaldean/Arabic speaking communities. She’s an advocate and supporter of special education.”

Christine Abbott, a former supervisor of Atto, said, “She is an extraordinary person in both her professional and personal life. Florence has served as an interpreter for families who need this support as they enter our country and community. Florence has a sixth sense when someone is in need, and she immediately moves in to help out with whatever their need may be.”

“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how Flo’s cheerful personality really sets the tone for the staff development facility,” said Cathy Cantor, a parent in the district. “Flo is always ready with a smile. She personally greets everyone who comes in the door and offers help whenever she sees a need.”

For more information about the Michigan School Support Person of the Year program, visit: www.michigan.gov/mde. Click on Recognition Programs, then Michigan School Support Person of the Year.